Buyers in the market for the W205 Mercedes-Benz C-Class will see their choices broaden soon with two new models joining the lineup – one at the bottom end and one near the top of the cooking range (barring the spicier C 450 AMG 4Matic and AMG C63 models).

Forming the new base level in the lineup is the previously-announced C 160 – it draws 129 hp and 210 Nm from a detuned version of the C 180’s 1.6 litre turbo four, propelling it from 0-100 km/h in 9.6 seconds while returning a fuel consumption figure of 5.2 litres per 100 km. Priced at €31,684 (RM124,100), the C 160 is around €2,000 (RM7,800) cheaper than the previous entry-level C 180.

At the other end of the scale is the C 300, which sits at the top of the four-cylinder C-Class range. It utilises the C 200 and C 250‘s turbocharged 2.0 litre engine, but uprated to produce 245 hp and 370 Nm. As such, it sprints to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and delivers 6.3 litres per 100 km. Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel drive system also makes its way to the C 200 and C 220 d as a near-€5,000 (RM19,500) option for both variants.

The two new engine options are particularly pertinent to our market, as they could potentially enable the local C-Class market to compete directly with similar BMW 3 Series variants on sale here in Malaysia – the 136 hp/220 Nm 316i and the 245 hp/350 Nm 328i.

The C 200 and the C 250 are the sole W205 C-Class variants on sale in Malaysia

The C 160 is slower to 100 km/h than the 316i (9.6 seconds versus 9.2 seconds) but uses less fuel (5.2 litres per 100 km as opposed to 5.9 litres per 100 km), while the C 300 is just as fast (5.9 seconds) and as frugal (6.3 litres per 100 km) as the 328i.

However, the C 160’s lack of an automatic gearbox (it is only available with a six-speed manual in Europe) could force Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s (MBM) hand into bringing in the C 180 – fitted with the 7G-Tronic Plus auto – as a cut-price alternative instead. That car uses the same engine tune as on the A 200 and B 200, punching out 156 hp and 250 Nm – exactly the same figures as on the previous C 180 that formed the base of the W204 C-Class range here.

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

You can only buy German made sausages, not cars. Toyota gives you prestige and status with our latest Camry. At least you don’t have to park two streets away from your relatives house because you drive a Perodua.

Because our dad’s eyesight gets worse and worse, we had to find a new and safe kind of transportation for him. We had two choices: An electric scooter from China or a Toyota Camry. Both have nearly the same acceleration and top speed (ok, the electric scooter is a bit faster).

Our choice was the Camry, because our dad won’t get wet when it’s raining.

So far we never regret our choice. And when dad frequently claims that his friends are faster with their electric scooters, my brother will tell him: ‘But the RV is much better’.

RM124000 can buy you new C-Class C160 overseas.
In Malaysia, same RM124000 can’t even get you Camry.
I think it means we are richer than other countries since we can afford to pay much more for lesser car

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